Suggest Treatment For Dog Bite

Posted on Wed, 2 Dec 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 2 Dec 2015 Answered on

Wed, 23 Dec 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello Doctor,
My name is xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. I was bitten by a dog on my ankle 5 years ago. It was a small bite and little blood came. Dog was aggressive. I did not take any treatment or vaccination for this at that time. Now i read that rabies can even infect perosn even after 10 years. Is it true, if yes what should be my course of action. I have not felt any symptoms till now

Answered by Dr. Sheetal Verma (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
3 doses of rabipur.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query at the HCM.
I understand your concern and situation.

Usually rabies in human occurs within 2-3 months. There have been very very few instances of rabies occurring after 5 years.But there is no harm in taking the vaccinations at 0, 7, 28 days. Only 3 doses will be sufficient.

Take care
Hope I answered your question
Rating and review will be appreciated
Dr Sheetal Verma

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Sheetal Verma (2 hours later)

Thanks Madam, It gave me a lot of clarity. Actually i recieved different opinions about the effectiveness of vaccine after five years of bite. Some doctors which i visited said that there is no use of taking vaccination after five years of bite. But some of them said that vaccination should be taken as i have not developed any symptoms. Madam, you tell me plz that will taking vaccination can eliminate the little risk of catching rabies after five years of bite as you said there are some very rare instances where rabies has occurred after more than five years of bite

Answered by Dr. Sheetal Verma (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Both pre and post exposure protection.

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Go ahead it will give you beneficial as both pre and post exposure prophylaxis.

Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D